System and Circuit for Television Power State Control

ABSTRACT

A system and circuit for television power state control are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power management circuit is coupled to a television and interposed between a video feed and an image display engine as well as between an audio feed and a speaker. The power management circuit selectively alternates the television between three states: powered  ON /operating state (first state); power standby state (second state); and no/low power state (third state). Utilized with a television in a commercial application, the system and circuit are employed to provide accelerated turn-on time to receive an image for user interaction, while providing sufficient control to maintain energy power savings.

PRIORITY STATEMENT & CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/436,500 entitled “System and Circuit for Television PowerState Control” filed on Feb. 17, 2017, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,832,414, on Nov. 28, 2017, in the name of Bill Fang; which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/868,997 entitled“System and Circuit for Television Power State Control” filed on Sep.29, 2015; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/171,190 entitled “System and Circuit for Television Power StateControl” filed on Jun. 28, 2011 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,148,697 onSep. 29, 2015; which claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No.61/359,251, entitled “System and Method for Television Power StateControl” and filed on Jun. 28, 2010; which are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to the control of the power state ofa television and, in particular, to a system and circuit forfacilitating acceleration from no power/low power states to poweredON/operating states.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, its background willbe described with reference to power state control in commercialapplications, such as hotels. When placing a television in a commercialenvironment for independent operation by a customer or end-user,television power-on can present significant issues for operation,continuing support and costs. Typically, televisions in hotels and otherguest-serving environments turn ON slowly by charging the system from astand-by state, where very low power is consumed in order to conserveenergy during long periods of inactivity. This power-up from the standbystate can take between four and 20 seconds depending on the design ofthe television. Such a delay results in customer complaints.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve power state control in a commercialenvironment, such as a hotel. It would also be desirable to enable anelectrical/programming-based solution that would save power. To betteraddress one or more of these concerns, systems and methods are disclosedfor television state power control. In one embodiment, a powermanagement circuit is coupled to a television and interposed between avideo feed and an image display engine as well as between an audio feedand a speaker. The power management circuit selectively alternates thetelevision between three states: powered ON/operating state (firststate); power standby state (second state); and no/low power state(third state).

In one implementation, the system and method are utilized with atelevision in a commercial application that can be controlled in aspecific manner to provide accelerated turn-on time to receive an imagefor user interaction, while providing sufficient control to maintainenergy power savings. The resulting controlled system meets keyrequirements for guests of hotels, as well as other venues, such asmedical facilities, stadiums, and other commercial television locations,where a television owned by a facility is provided to a customer enduser for operation.

In one embodiment, the system combines the interaction of a user andcommercial television for the purpose of self directed use. Through thecombination of components the television can “Turn-on,” meaning providethe user with a TV that is on and has a picture on the screen, within1-second of the pressing of the “power” or “power ON” button on a remotecontrol or front of TV. In this embodiment, through blanking of video,control of image lighting (back-light, LED, side-light or emissivelighting) and modification of the stand-by indicator state in thetelevision, the desired “Instant On” results can be delivered andcontrolled for energy savings. Elements inside the television mayinclude a video signal, audio signal, lighting/backlighting, indicatorlights and elements of control/interaction may include a user remotecontrol, TV bezel button, external control device or sensors, room entrysystem, and business/rules logic. These and other aspects of theinvention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to theembodiment(s) described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the system fortelevision power state control being utilized in conjunction with atelevision;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting the system in FIG. 1 in furtherdetail;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a powermanagement circuit depicted in further detail;

FIG. 4 is a state diagram depicting one embodiment of state transitionsand a method for television state power control;

FIG. 5A is a graph of one embodiment of power savings in a typicaloccupied commercial environment; and

FIG. 5B is a graph of one embodiment of power savings in a typicalunoccupied commercial environment, wherein FIGS. 5A and 5B share acommon legend.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, therein is depicted a system fortelevision power control that is schematically illustrated and generallydesignated 10. A television 12 is illustrated that includes a display 14having an image display engine 16 associated therewith. The televisionalso includes a video feed 18 providing a video signal and an audio feed20 providing an audio signal to speakers 22. A visual indicator 24associated with the display 14 of the television 12 informs the user ofthe status of the television. An ON/OFF circuit 26 coupled to a powersource powers the television 12. The ON/OFF circuit 26 also provides lowpower.

A power management circuit 30 is interposed between the video feed 18and the image display engine 16. Additionally, in one embodiment, thepower management circuit 30 is disposed in communication with the visualindicator 24 and interposed between the audio feed 20 and speakers 22associated with the television 12. As shown, the power managementcircuit 30 is also disposed in communication with the ON/OFF circuit 26to control no power/low power settings. As will be discussed in furtherdetails hereinbelow, the power management circuit 30 selectivelyalternates the television 12 between three states: powered ON/operatingstate (first state); power standby state (second state); and nopower/low power state (third state).

At least one receiver is coupled to the power management circuit 30 andconfigured to receive an activity signal relative to environmentactivity status. In one implementation of the receiver, a wirelessreceiver 32 is coupled to the power management circuit 30 in order toreceive a wireless activity signal from a monitoring unit, such as anoccupancy sensor or remote, located proximate to the television.Moreover, a cabled-input 34 may also form a portion of the powermanagement circuit 30 in order to receive activity signals from anetworked source, such as the front desk or backend of a hotel or doorlock or light switch, in certain commercial environments.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the power management circuit 30 may forma portion of the television 12 or, alternatively, form a portion of aset top/back box. In one embodiment, the power management circuit 30includes the wireless receiver or transceiver 32, input 34, memory 36,and a processor 38, all interconnected by bus 40. In this embodiment,the processor 38 is coupled to the wireless transceiver 32 and the input34. The processor 38 is also configured to communicate with the videofeed 18, the audio feed 20, the image display engine 16, the visualindicator, and the ON/OFF circuit 26.

The memory 36 is accessible to the processor 38 and the memory 36includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, causethe processor 38 to selectively alternate between the first state, thesecond state, and the third state based on received data relative to theenvironment status e.g., occupancy in the room and desire to watchtelevision. In the first state, the processor 38 drives first signalingto pass the video signal from the video feed 18 to the image displayengine 16 and pass the audio signal from the audio feed 20 to a speaker22. The first signaling also includes driving the visual indicator 24 todisplay television ON.

In the second state, the processor 38 drives second signaling to theimage display engine 16 to blank the video signal, while maintainingsynchronization with the image display engine 16. The second signalingalso includes blocking the audio signal from the audio feed 20 to thespeaker 22 and driving the visual indicator 24 to display televisionOFF. In the third state, the processor 38 drives third signaling to turnthe video feed OFF and to turn the audio feed OFF as well as driving thevisual indicator to display television OFF. In one embodiment, in thethird state, the processor 38 drives a signal off to the ON/OFF circuitto turn OFF the television 12 or place the television in a low powerstate. Additionally, in one implementation, when transitioning from thefirst state to the third state or from the second state to the thirdstate, the processor may decrement a timer or time period. In thisimplementation, the power state control change is not made until thetimer is decremented to zero or a signal is received indicating that theoccupant is not returning.

Referring now to FIG. 4, as mentioned, the power management circuitselectively alternates the television between three states: poweredON/operating state (first state 50); power standby state (second state52); and no power/low power state (third state 54). In the first state50, the power management circuit passes the video signal to the imagedisplay engine and, similarly, the power management circuit passes theaudio signal to the speaker. As shown, the first state 50 includes thevisual indicator displaying television ON. The second state 52 includesthe power management circuit blanking the video signal to the imagedisplay engine, while maintaining synchronization with the image displayengine. Moreover, the power management circuit blocks the audio signalto the speaker. The second state 52 includes the visual indicatordisplaying television OFF. The third state 54 includes the powermanagement circuit turning both the video feed and audio feed OFF.Therefore, synchronization between the video feed and the television islost. The third state 54 also includes the visual indicator displayingtelevision OFF.

The powered ON/operating state (first state 50) is optimally consumingpower for an occupied television environment and power ON television.The power standby state (second state 52) is optimized for an occupiedtelevision environment and power OFF television, while the no power/lowpower state (third state 54) is optimized for an unoccupied televisionenvironment and power OFF television. In one embodiment, the powermanagement circuit selectively alternates the television between thesecond state and the third state based on occupancy, between a firststate and a second state based on power ON/OFF to the television, andbetween a first state and a third state based on occupancy and power ON.

Two additional states, which may be considered transitional states, arealso shown in FIG. 4. A wait and standby state (fourth state 56) and await and stay on state (fifth state 58). The fourth state 56 isrespectively located between the second state 52 and third state 54,while the fifth state 58 is positioned between the first state 50 andthe third state 54. Environment activity statuses 60-84 are shown astriggers for various power state control transitions.

A guest or other user turning the television ON/OFF by a remote, forexample, at statuses 60, 62 may trigger the power control circuit tooscillate between the first state 50 and the second state 52. That is,if the television is ON/operating state (first state 50) and thetelevision is turned OFF, the power control circuit will activate thepower standby state (second state 52) and visa versa. If the televisionis in the power standby state (second state 52) and the television isturned ON, the ON/operating state (first state 50) is activated.

Occupancy may drive the transition from the second state 52 to the thirdstate 54 as shown by environment activity statuses 64-68, which includea transition through the fourth state 56. If the room is unoccupied, asdetected by an occupancy sensor or a door key entry/exit and relayedwirelessly or through cabling to the power control circuit, the statetransitions from the standby state (second state 52) to the wait andstandby state (fourth state 56), where if a time period, such as 15minutes, lapses or the guest checks out, the state progresses to the nopower/low power state (third state 54) as shown by the environmentactivity status 68. If the room is occupied as detected by some monitor,then the state returns to the standby state (second state 52) as shownby the environment activity status 64. Additionally, if a power ON isdetected, then the status returns to the ON/operating state (first state50) as shown by the environment activity status 84.

Transitions between the standby state (second state 52) and the nopower/low power state (third state 54) are also enabled by the guestchecking in or checking out as shown by the environment activitystatuses 80-82. Through a wireless interface or a network, a message maysent to the power control circuit on the status of the guest, i.e.,checking-in or checking-out to change the power status of thetelevision.

With respect to transitions between the power on state (first state 50)and the no power/low power state (third state 54), as shown byenvironmental activity statuses 76-78, the state may change as a resultof the guest checking-in or out. Also, as shown by environmentalactivity statuses 70-74, the wait and stay on status (fifth state 58)may be transitioned through if the room is detected as unoccupied. If amonitor or other alter informs the power control circuit that the roomis no longer occupied, then at wait and stay on status (fifth state 58),if a time period lapses or the guest checks out, then the state ischanged to no power state (third state 54).

It should be understood that FIG. 4 is presented with a guest as theoccupant in a hotel, however, the teachings presented herein may be usedby any occupant in any commercial environment. Moreover, it should beunderstood that various triggers may activate the system and methodspresented herein. By way of example, a non-exhaustive list of triggersand state changes is presented in Table I.

TABLE I Exemplary Triggers & States Trigger State Triggered Check-inSecond State Check-out Third State Door Key Entry Second State OccupantEntry Second State Occupancy Entry/Exit Second/Third StateMaid/Staff/Maintenance Entry Second State Room Out-of-Service ThirdState

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, as mentioned, commercial televisionsgenerally require upwards of 20 seconds from the time an end userpresses power on a remote or television until a picture is presented foruse. The systems and methods presented herein reduce this delay andtherefore mitigate resulting guest complaints as while maintainingenergy savings. FIG. 5A is a graph of typical occupied hotel roomtelevision usage, wherein time in hours is graphed against televisionpower in Watts. As shown, a comparison is presented of normal televisionpower consumption and power consumption under the power managementpresented herein. The resulting power savings (PS) over a 24 hour periodare indicated by the shading. Similarly, FIG. 5B is a graph ofunoccupied hotel room television usage wherein the power savings (PS)over a 24 hour period are also shown.

By way of example, when placing a television in a commercial environmentfor independent operation by a customer or end-user, the system power-oncan present significant issues for operation, on-going support andcosts. Televisions in hotels and other guest-facing environments thatturn on slowly do so by charging the system from a stand-by state wherevery low power is consumed. This power-up from standby can take between4 and 20 seconds depending on the design of the television. The designproposed here uses control and business rules for a turn-on time for theuser less than one second, while providing a net savings in energy.Using a device connected to the television, the video source isconnected and available for view except that the television iscontrolled to:

-   -   Power off lighting element (if any) to reduce power consumption        and eliminate light coming from the TV in this state.    -   “Blank” video which maintains the synchronization and stream of        video through the television yet does not show it on the screen.        -   Blank” audio which may be coming in from the media source            and remains available even without video.    -   Set user indicators on the television (lights, logos, etc) to        represent the OFF or Standby state.

When the user presses the power button, the state of the items above to:

-   -   Power on lighting element (if any) to ON state    -   Activate video which has maintained synchronization and stream        on the screen    -   Activate audio which associated with the media source Change        user indicators on the television (lights, logos, etc) to        represent the ON state.

The power savings elements when combined with controlled system providesthe three aforementioned states:

-   -   Full Power Off (using ZERO Watts of Power)    -   Low Power Stand-by State    -   Accelerated Power Sequencing State

In one embodiment, the implementation described above can be achieved ina stand-alone function with a television in a commercial environment,yet the power consumption will be increased and in this state atelevision cannot achieve EnergyStar or other low power consumptionrating. To reduce energy consumption, one embodiment includes a controlsystem to use three states of power to provide Accelerated PowerSequencing, while providing a net energy savings. In this modality, anoperation cycle is as follows:

-   -   Room Not In Service—When a room is not designated for service or        operation, the control device provides a Power-Off command to        the integrated power source to place the TV in a Full Power Off        state. When a room is designated for use, either centrally        controlled or by interaction of the entry or monitoring control        (i.e., a motion sensor) systems, the control device can activate        the television to Full Power Off, Low Power Standby or        Accelerated Power Sequencing states.    -   Room Unoccupied—When a room is not occupied or in operation, the        control device provides a Power-Off command to the integrated        power source to place the TV in a Full Power Off state. In this        state, the TV is consuming no power. For facilities like hotels,        a guest room is unoccupied for a significant period of time per        day and this FULL OFF state can provide energy savings.    -   Accelerated Power Sequencing State—When room is designated for        use, or control device receives notification of door entry or        motion, the control device can activate the Accelerated Power        Sequencing State based upon business rules for the operation and        energy efficiency.

Using business rules established by the operator, the Accelerated PowerSequencing State is activated upon door entry notification or motion anda timer is activated. If desired, this state can be set without a timerand the television will remain in this state if the room is determinedto be occupied. With the timer, if it reaches the pre-set time, thecontrol device would send a command to the television to change toLow-Power Standby State.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for television state power control, thesystem comprising: a power management circuit receiving a video feedproviding a video signal and an audio feed providing an audio signal;the power management circuit configured to connect to a televisionincluding a screen and an image display engine associated therewith, thetelevision including a visual indicator, the power management circuitconfigured to selectively alternate the television between a firststate, a second state, and a third state; the first state including thepower management circuit passing the video signal to the image displayengine and the power management circuit passing the audio signal to thespeaker, the first state including the visual indicator displayingtelevision ON; the second state including the power management circuitblanking the video signal to the image display engine such that a blankvideo image is displayed on the television, the power management circuitmaintaining synchronization of the video signal with the image displayengine, and the power management circuit blocking the audio signal tothe speaker, the second state including the visual indicator displayingtelevision OFF; the third state including the power management circuitturning the video feed OFF, the power management circuit turning theaudio feed OFF, the third state including the visual indicatordisplaying television OFF, the second state and the third state havingidentical visual indicators; the power management circuit selectivelyalternates the television between the second state and the third statebased on guest occupancy of a commercial lodging environment relative tocheck-in and check-out of the commercial lodging environment; the powermanagement circuit selectively alternates the television between thefirst state and the third state based on the guest occupancy of check-inand power ON; the power management circuit selectively alternates thetelevision between the first state and the second state based on theguest occupancy of check-in and power ON/OFF to the television; and thepower management circuit selectively alternates the television betweenthe first state and the second state, between the second state and thethird state, and between the first state and the third state.
 2. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, further comprising a fourth stateincluding the power management circuit passing the video signal to theimage display engine and the power management circuit passing the audiosignal to the speaker, the fourth state including the visual indicatordisplaying television ON, the fourth state including a timerdecrementing a time period.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising the fifth state including the power management circuitblanking the video signal to the image display engine, while maintainingsynchronization with the image display engine, and the power managementcircuit blocking the audio signal to the speaker, the fifth stateincluding the visual indicator displaying television OFF, the fifthstate including a timer decrementing a time period.
 4. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the power management circuit forms a portionof the television.
 5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thepower management circuit forms a portion of a set top/back box locatedin communication with the television.
 6. The system as recited in claim1, wherein the receiver further comprises a wireless receiver coupled tothe power management circuit, the wireless receiver configured toreceive a wireless activity signal from a monitoring unit locatedproximate to the television.
 7. The system as recited in claim 1,wherein the receiver further comprises an input coupled to the powermanagement circuit, the input configured to receive data relative toenvironment activity status from a networked source.
 8. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the first state further comprises anoptimization for an occupied and power ON television.
 9. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the second state further comprises anoptimization for an occupied a power OFF television.
 10. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the third state further comprises anoptimization for an unoccupied a power OFF television.
 11. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the guest occupancy further relates to ahotel guest.
 12. A system for television state power control, the systemcomprising: a power management circuit receiving a video feed providinga video signal and an audio feed providing an audio signal; the powermanagement circuit configured to connect to a television including ascreen and an image display engine associated therewith, the powermanagement circuit configured to selectively alternate the televisionbetween a first state, a second state, and a third state; the firststate including the power management circuit passing the video signal tothe image display engine and the power management circuit passing theaudio signal to the speaker, the first state including the screendisplaying television ON; the second state including the powermanagement circuit blanking the video signal to the image display enginesuch that a blank video image is displayed on the television, the powermanagement circuit maintaining synchronization of the video signal withthe image display engine, and the power management circuit blocking theaudio signal to the speaker, the second state including the screendisplaying television OFF; the third state including the powermanagement circuit turning the video feed OFF, the power managementcircuit turning the audio feed OFF, the third state including the screendisplaying television OFF, the second state and the third state havingidentical screens; the power management circuit selectively alternatesthe television between the second state and the third state based onguest occupancy of a commercial lodging environment relative to check-inand check-out of the commercial lodging environment; the powermanagement circuit selectively alternates the television between thefirst state and the third state based on the guest occupancy of check-inand power ON; the power management circuit selectively alternates thetelevision between the first state and the second state based on theguest occupancy of check-in and power ON/OFF to the television; and thepower management circuit selectively alternates the television betweenthe first state and the second state, between the second state and thethird state, and between the first state and the third state.
 13. Thesystem as recited in claim 12, further comprising a fourth stateincluding the power management circuit passing the video signal to theimage display engine and the power management circuit passing the audiosignal to the speaker, the fourth state including the screen displayingtelevision ON, the fourth state including a timer decrementing a timeperiod.
 14. The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising thefifth state including the power management circuit blanking the videosignal to the image display engine, while maintaining synchronizationwith the image display engine, and the power management circuit blockingthe audio signal to the speaker, the fifth state including the screendisplaying television OFF, the fifth state including a timerdecrementing a time period.
 15. The system as recited in claim 12,wherein the power management circuit forms a portion of the television.16. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the power managementcircuit forms a portion of a set top/back box located in communicationwith the television.
 17. A system for television state power control,the system comprising: a power management circuit receiving a video feedproviding a video signal and an audio feed providing an audio signal;the power management circuit configured to connect to a televisionincluding a screen and an image display engine associated therewith, thetelevision including a visual indicator, the power management circuitincluding means for selectively alternating the television between afirst state, a second state, and a third state; the first stateincluding the power management circuit passing the video signal to theimage display engine and the power management circuit passing the audiosignal to the speaker, the first state including the visual indicatordisplaying television ON; the second state including the powermanagement circuit blanking the video signal to the image display enginesuch that a blank video image is displayed on the television, the powermanagement circuit maintaining synchronization of the video signal withthe image display engine, and the power management circuit blocking theaudio signal to the speaker, the second state including the visualindicator displaying television OFF, the second state and the thirdstate having identical visual indicators; the third state including thepower management circuit turning the video feed OFF, the powermanagement circuit turning the audio feed OFF, the third state includingthe visual indicator displaying television OFF; the power managementcircuit selectively alternates the television between the second stateand the third state based on guest occupancy of a commercial lodgingenvironment relative to check-in and check-out of the commercial lodgingenvironment; the power management circuit selectively alternates thetelevision between the first state and the third state based on theguest occupancy of check-in and power ON; the power management circuitselectively alternates the television between the first state and thesecond state based on the guest occupancy of check-in and power ON/OFFto the television; and the power management circuit selectivelyalternates the television between the first state and the second state,between the second state and the third state, and between the firststate and the third state.
 18. The system as recited in claim 17,further comprising a fourth state including the power management circuitpassing the video signal to the image display engine and the powermanagement circuit passing the audio signal to the speaker, the fourthstate including the visual indicator displaying television ON, thefourth state including a timer decrementing a time period.
 19. Thesystem as recited in claim 17, further comprising a fifth stateincluding the power management circuit blanking the video signal to theimage display engine, while maintaining synchronization with the imagedisplay engine, and the power management circuit blocking the audiosignal to the speaker, the fifth state including the visual indicatordisplaying television OFF, the fifth state including a timerdecrementing a time period.
 20. The system as recited in claim 17,wherein the guest occupancy further relates to a hotel guest.